Serving patients seeking LASIK eye surgery in Lincoln and the surrounding area

Lance Kugler, MD, and William Schlichtemeier, MD, are highly skilled laser eye doctors who perform a range of advanced vision correction procedures, including LASIK in Lincoln / Omaha. Linda Morgan, OD, FAAO, is an expert in pre and post LASIK clinical care. Their practice, Kugler Vision in Omaha, is the trusted LASIK partner of the University of Nebraska Athletics.

Dr. Kugler currently serves as the Director of Refractive Surgery for the University of Nebraska Medical Center.

Dr. Kugler performs a range of vision correction procedures, including LASIK and PRK, as well as cataract and lens surgery. He completed a prestigious fellowship training program under world-renowned laser eye specialist Dr. Ming Wang. Dr. Kugler currently serves as the Director of Refractive Surgery for the University of Nebraska Medical Center, where he helps ophthalmology residents advance their proficiency in vision correction procedures. He has authored several articles and textbook chapters, and has presented his research at refractive surgery meetings nationwide. Dr. Kugler has also served as the study coordinator in FDA clinical trials, and he is an international consultant and published author for corneal topography scans.

Dr. Schlichtemeier is a Nebraska native who is dedicated to keeping abreast of advancements in refractive surgery. He was the first eye surgeon in Nebraska and one of only 10 ophthalmologists across the globe to perform epikeratophakia and keratomileusis (the precursor to LASIK surgery) in 1982. Dr. Schlichtemeier has studied refractive surgery with the world's leading surgeons and was one of the first surgeons in Nebraska to perform RK (radial keratotomy) in 1983.

Dr. Schlichtemeier has a keen sense of the importance of visual acuity, as he is a championship marksman, participating as a member on the National Championship Free Pistol Team in 2001, 2007, 2008 and 2009, and on the Air Pistol Team in 2003. Many patients have sought his skilled hands to correct their vision, including professionals with vision-intensive tasks such as firemen, policemen and athletes. His relentless focus on quality is reflected on the satisfied faces of his patients. Most of his patients are able to drive to work the following day.

Dr. Morgan is a member of the Nebraska Optometrist Association’s Board of Directors and the co-chair of the Eastern Society of the Nebraska Optometric Association.

Dr. Morgan completed a competitive fellowship with the American Academy of Optometry. In 2012, the American Optometric Association published her central toxic keratopathy article in their publication, Optometry. She is a member of the Nebraska Optometrist Association’s Board of Directors, co-chair of the Eastern Society of the Nebraska Optometric Association and a member of the Bennington’s Lion’s Club.

The eye doctors at Kugler Vision are known for their excellence, and strive to offer the most advanced technology and highest quality of surgical care to their patients.

What Are Patients Saying About Their LASIK Procedure at Kugler Vision?

More About Laser Eye Surgery at Kugler Vision

Pre-Operative Evaluation

At our center, patients meet with our doctors who perform a thorough evaluation to determine the safest procedure parameters for each individual eye. Each eye is measured and evaluated with a wide array of instruments that provide detailed information about the eye’s optics and health. Based on this information, our surgeons can design a treatment plan that best meets the needs of that particular eye and patient.

Our surgeons explain the surgical procedure, from start to finish, and address any questions that the patient has, prior to surgery.

Creation of the LASIK Flap

LASIK is performed under a hinged flap of corneal tissue. The flap may be made with either a mechanical blade, called a microkeratome, or by using a precise and sophisticated laser called a femtosecond laser. At our center, we specialize in creating flaps with a femtosecond laser. Once the flap is created and folded back, the excimer laser reshapes the underlying tissue to correct any vision abnormalities. The corneal flap is then replaced over the treated area. LASIK patients experience little, if any, discomfort. Functional vision returns very rapidly, with the majority of patients seeing well enough to drive in a day or two, without glasses or contact lenses.

Two lasers are used in our bladeless LASIK procedure. The FS200 laser is a femtosecond laser (0.000000000000001 second) that directs its laser beam into a tiny 3 micron (0.003 mm) spot, which is focused to a precise depth within the cornea.

In less than a minute, using computer precision and an extremely high speed of delivery, approximately 1 million pulses are delivered to the exact location desired by the surgeon. Discrete laser bursts create 1 million tiny bubbles, which result in separation of the cornea and creation of the flap.

Several studies suggest that bladeless LASIK is safer and more predictable than LASIK performed with a blade.

Excimer Laser Treatment

The surgeon lifts the flap and uses another type of laser (Allegretto Wave EyeQ) to reshape the eye and correct the vision. This laser technology is discussed extensively here. After the excimer laser treatment, the flap is placed back into its original position.

Post-Operative Care and Follow-Up

The care that patients receive following laser surgery is just as important as the care they receive before and during the procedure. Customization of post-operative medications and evaluation of visual quality occur at each postoperative visit.

The Lincoln LASIK surgeons are also skilled cataract surgeons who perform "micro-incision, no stitch" surgery for cataract patients and for patients who do not qualify for LASIK. They use ReSTOR and Crystalens intraocular lens implants as well as AcrySof toric (astigmatism-correcting) implants to restore each patient's vision following cataract surgery.

To eliminate your dependence on glasses or contact lenses, please contact us today at (800) 724-4065 to schedule a consultation.

More About the Eye Doctors at Kugler Vision

Lance Kugler, MD, obtained his undergraduate degree at DePauw University in Greencastle, Ind. He received his medical degree from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Cleveland. Dr. Kugler completed his residency training in ophthalmology at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, after which he entered into private practice. He later moved to Nashville to complete fellowship training under the guidance of internationally recognized laser eye specialist Dr. Ming Wang. During this time, Dr. Kugler focused on difficult LASIK and cataract cases. Following this comprehensive training, Dr. Kugler joined Dr. Schlichtemeier at his practice in Nebraska. Dr. Kugler is affiliated with many professional organizations, including the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the YO (Young Ophthalmologist) organization.

William Schlichtemeier, MD, received his undergraduate degree from Nebraska Wesleyan University. He completed his medical degree at the University of Nebraska, School of Medicine, and performed a four-year residency in ophthalmology with several famous eye surgeons at the Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit. He has personally taught more than 30 eye surgeons the techniques of corneal transplantation and serves as a consultant to Letterman Army Hospital in San Francisco, Tripler Army Hospital in Hawaii and Travis Air Force Base Hospital in Sacramento. He also believes in extending the gift of sight to those in underdeveloped countries and has served as a medical missionary in Honduras with the Christian Medical Society. Dr. Schlichtemeier is an active member of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the Refractive Surgery Interest Group. He is a member of the Trusted LASIK Surgeons network. To learn more, visit TrustedLASIKSurgeons.com.

Linda Morgan, OD, FAAO, earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in biology at the University of Virginia. She also obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in vision science at Pennsylvania College of Optometry, the same institution from which she received her Doctor of Optometry degree. While at Pennsylvania College of Optometry, she was elected into the Beta Sigma Kappa Honor Society.